Ex-UNM Minister Bacho Akhalaia Arrested on Accusations of Leading October 4 Events

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced on December 25 arresting Bacho Akhalaia, who served as interior and defense minister under the United National Movement (UNM) government, on allegations of leading the October 4 events, with the agency citing records of “phone internet communications” with other alleged organizers as evidence.

The arrest comes nearly three months after the October 4 tensions, when a group of protesters, upon calls by election-day rally organizers, tried to occupy the presidential palace in Tbilisi, but were repelled by police. Georgian Dream authorities framed the events as a foreign-orchestrated coup attempt, arresting up to 60 persons in the weeks that followed, including five alleged organizers: activist and opera singer Paata Burchuladze, United National Movement party members Irakli Nadiradze and Murtaz Zodelava, Strategy Agmashenebeli party member Paata Manjgaladze, and retired colonel Lasha Beridze. 

October 4 developments “were led through internet applications [by Akhalaia],” Lasha Maghradze, deputy SSSG head, said during the briefing, describing Akhalaia as “the main organizer” of the events within Georgia. He said the agency was able to establish the records of internet communications via phone applications “with a high standard of truthfulness, down to the exact minutes and seconds” based on internet traffic data.

Maghradze said the agency had traced a total of 343 “internet sessions” between an IP address registered to Akhalaia’s wife, Ana Nadareishvili, and five alleged organizers of the October 4 events, spanning the period from September 28, 9 pm, until the suspects’ arrest in the early hours of October 5.

That, Maghradze said, included communications on the day of the tensions, including nine minutes before Zodelava and Burchuladze would make “violent calls,” as well as in the aftermath of the “violent storming” of the palace, during which Beridze was said to have been near the site and “receiving directives” from Akhalaia.

The deputy SSSG head further claimed that, after a “tape” allegedly suggesting Akhalaia and Paata Burchuladze were orchestrating unrest was leaked late on October 4, Zodelava began communicating with Zviad Gagua, a person allegedly living at Akhalaia’s residence. According to Maghradze, three minutes after the contact between Gagua and Zodelava, the latter returned to the stage and presented a new plan to move toward the Georgian Dream headquarters.

Maghradze did not clarify whether the State Security Service was able to monitor the contents of the conversations from the alleged contacts, or if the allegations are based solely on analyzing data such as timing and IP addresses.

The SSSG announcement followed reports that police had been mobilized near Akhalaia’s apartment. The agency said that Ana Nadareishvili, Akhalaia’s wife, had also been arrested but would be released while the investigation continues to examine her possible involvement in the alleged events.

Officials repeatedly brought up Akhalaia’s name in connection with the October 4 unrest in recent months, including over an alleged recording of his conversation with Paata Burchuladze and claims linking him to the so-called Hexogen case, in which two Ukrainian citizens were arrested for allegedly importing explosives. Akhalaia was earlier summoned by the Georgian Interior Ministry over the recording, which was released by pro-government media and which the former minister denied was authentic.

During the briefing, Maghradze also pointed to Akhalaia’s possible links with a criminal case where SSSG claimed on October 5 that it found “large quantities” of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. The agency alleged at the time that they were intended for “subversive acts” during the October 4 unrest in Tbilisi, and linked them to a “military unit” in Ukraine.

Akhalaia, a controversial figure during the United National Movement’s rule, has been convicted of multiple offenses related to his official duties after Georgian Dream came to power in 2012. He was arrested in 2012 and released in 2022, having been found guilty of abuse of power, organizing torture, and sexual abuse in separate trials.

Also Read:

• 24/10/2025 – Seven Charged for Obstructing Pro-Government Journalists During October 4 Unrest
• 08/10/2025 – Kobakhidze Accuses West of ‘Indirectly’ Backing ‘Overthrow and Violence’ After October 4 Unrest